In an article about the Penn State case, ESPN reports: Paterno's requirement that his players not just achieve success but adhere to a moral code, that they win with honor, transcended his sport. Mike Krzyzewski, the Duke basketball coach, said in June for an ESPN special on Paterno: "Values are never compromised. That's the bottom line." However, when a very courageous assistant coach at Baylor, Abar Rouse, had surreptitiously audio-taped his superior, disgraced head basketball coach Dave … [Read more...]

In a chapter I recently published-- "The Human Being, A Person of Substance: A Reply to Dean Stretton," in Persons, Moral Worth, and Embryos: A Critical Analysis of Pro-Choice Arguments, edited by Stephen Napier. (Dordrecht: Springer, 2011), 67-83--I respond to criticisms of an argument I have used in several venues, including my 2007 book, Defending Life: A Moral and Legal Case Against Abortion Choice (Cambridge University Press). My 2011 defense of that argument--"the argument from creating … [Read more...]

That's the title of a chapter I recently published in the book, Persons, Moral Worth, and Embryos: A Critical Analysis of Pro-Choice Arguments, edited by Stephen Napier. (Dordrecht: Springer, 2011), 67-83. Other contributors in the book include my Baylor colleague Alexander Pruss as well as Jason T. Eberl, A. A. Howspeian, Christopher Tollefsen, Helen M. Alvaré, and David Hershenov. You can read my entire chapter via Google Books here. Here's how the chapter begins (citations omitted): Over the p … [Read more...]

That is the title of an essay I just published at HeadlineBistro.com, "a service of the Knights of Columbus dedicated to bringing readers the top, daily headlines that Catholics need to know." My essay is one of several published this week by HeadlineBistro.com in celebration of the May 1, 2011 beatification of the late Pope John Paul II. My essay begins: As we reflect on the life of John Paul II at the eve of his beatification, we should remember the ways in which the late pontiff touched t … [Read more...]

I recently entered the fray at the Life Training Institute blog, making a case for prolife incrementalism in response to a comment post by Rebecca Kiessling. My post may be found here. … [Read more...]

Apparently so, according to the Attorney General and the President. On Wednesday, they told us that they will no longer defend sec. 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act in federal court because it is unconstitutional, since it allegedly violates the 5th amendment and thus does not withstand heightened scrutiny. Here's what sec. 3 states:"In determining the meaning of any Act of Congress, or of any ruling, regulation, or interpretation of the various administrative bureaus and agencies of the … [Read more...]

Just read about this at Mirror of Justice (HT: Rick Garnett):Notre Dame Vita Institute In furtherance of Project Guadalupe's goal to form the next generation of pro-life leadership through scholarship and service, the Notre Dame Fund to Protect Human Life is pleased to announce its inaugural Notre Dame Vita Institute to be held June 12-24, 2011, administered under the auspices of the Notre Dame Center for Ethics and Culture.Held on the beautiful Notre Dame campus, the Vita Institute will edu … [Read more...]

I have the honor of serving as program chair for the 21st annual conference of the University Faculty for Life, which will be held at the University of Notre Dame on June 10-11, 2011. The on-campus host is Notre Dame philosophy professor, David Solomon, W.P. and H.B. White Director of the Notre Dame Center for Ethics & Culture, where I served as the Mary Anne Remick Senior Visiting Fellow in 2008-2009.If you are a prolife academic (or retired academic), you should join UFL. The annual … [Read more...]